El Capitan Campground

1 review

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Tongass National Forest (USDA Forest Service) site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Tongass National Forest (USDA Forest Service) site

Get Directions

El Capitan Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Best Time to Camp at El Capitan Campground

El Capitan welcomes adventurers throughout the year, with each season painting a different portrait of wilderness life. Summer brings the excitement of salmon runs and guided cave tours, when visitors can explore the mysterious depths of El Capitan Cave with experienced interpreters. As autumn's golden light filters through the forest canopy, hunters arrive for the prized Sitka black-tailed deer season, making this a year-round destination for those seeking genuine Alaska experiences.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About El Capitan Campground

Discover El Capitan Campground, a waterfront sanctuary on the remote shores of Prince of Wales Island where old-growth forest meets the pristine waters of El Capitan Passage. This exceptional Tongass National Forest destination combines marine access with wilderness adventure, offering everything from kayaking and fishing to exploring Alaska's longest mapped cave system. Whether you're casting for salmon, paddling coastal waters, or venturing into ancient limestone passages, this is Alaska at its most authentic.

A remote, scenic waterfront campground on the Tongass National Forest providing access to marine and forested recreation (fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, caving). The setting is described as remote and scenic, adjacent to El Capitan Passage and near El Capitan Cave.

Historical SignificanceJust steps from your campsite lies the remarkable El Capitan Cave Interpretive Site, home to Alaska's longest mapped cave system stretching over two miles into the island's limestone heart. This underground wonder has been carefully studied and preserved, with guided tours offered during summer months that reveal not only stunning geological formations but also the cave's role in the region's natural history. The interpretive program brings this subterranean world to life, making the cave's secrets accessible to visitors while protecting its delicate ecosystem.

Weather and SeasonsEl Capitan welcomes adventurers throughout the year, with each season painting a different portrait of wilderness life. Summer brings the excitement of salmon runs and guided cave tours, when visitors can explore the mysterious depths of El Capitan Cave with experienced interpreters. As autumn's golden light filters through the forest canopy, hunters arrive for the prized Sitka black-tailed deer season, making this a year-round destination for those seeking genuine Alaska experiences.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient giants stand sentinel here—towering Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and fragrant yellow and red cedar create a cathedral-like canopy that has grown undisturbed for centuries. The campground's position along El Capitan Passage offers front-row seats to marine life, where harbor seals bob in the waves and otters play in the kelp beds. The surrounding waters teem with four species of Pacific salmon—coho, sockeye, pink, and chum—along with cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden, while the forest floor bears the tracks of Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears going about their timeless routines in this pristine corner of the Tongass.

Geological RegionSituated on Prince of Wales Island, the campground occupies a landscape shaped by ancient limestone formations that give rise to El Capitan Cave, Alaska's longest mapped cave system extending over two miles beneath the surface. This area represents one of Southeast Alaska's most significant karst landscapes, where water and time have carved an intricate underground network of exceptional geological interest, making it a destination that appeals to spelunkers, geologists, and anyone fascinated by the earth's hidden architecture.

Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessible outhouse available at the campground.

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesDo not leave boats or planes unattended at the Forest Service dock. Boats over 24' must anchor out and skiff in.

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Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Waterfront campground with access to a variety of outdoor and marine activities, plus nearby cave interpretive opportunities. Popular seasonal uses include salmon fishing, deer hunting, sea kayaking, and cave tours.

Hiking

Hiking access is available; nearby El Capitan Cave is an interpretive site that offers guided tours in summer.

Fishing

Salmon fishing is popular in the summer; Prince of Wales Island has runs of every salmon species except chinook and also supports cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.

Boating

Marine dock on site and access to marine sports and paddle craft/sea kayaking.

Wildlife viewing

Abundant opportunities to view aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, including Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, harbor seals, otters, and many fish species.

Beach activities

Beach combing and other shoreline activities are mentioned as local recreation opportunities.

Cultural and Educational Programs

El Capitan Cave interpretive site offers guided tours during the summer season.

Water Sports

Marine sports including paddle craft and sea kayaking.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsWildlife present in the area includes black bear and other species (bear and other wildlife-related risks).

Weather at El Capitan Campground

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Partly cloudy

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 6.5 mph

Partly cloudy

Weather History

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresWaterfront on El Capitan Passage with an on-site Forest Service marine dock.

Campground Map

El Capitan Campground

Driving directionsThe campground can be reached by vehicle, boat, or plane. By road: follow Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15 and take a left for about a mile (1.6 km) to the cave; watch for signs. There is a Forest Service dock for boats and planes but they should not be left unattended. No boats over 24' are allowed; boats over 24' must anchor out and skiff in.

Accessible via Forest Service Road 20 connecting to Forest Service Road 15; final approach is about one mile (1.6 km) on FS Road 15.

Nearby places

Thorne Bay (~3-hour drive)

Craig (~3-hour drive)